The most crucial issue to understand whenever you're considering any kind of computer training program is what you want to achieve from it. Do you have a job planned that requires certain Computer user skill-sets, or is it that you simply wish to know how to surf the web more widely? And then of course, you might be trying to change your career completely and get into the IT industry itself.

Deciding on what you need to achieve from the training program is always your foremost concern. And then, once you realize where you're headed, you're able to make the best well-informed decisions about what type of study should suit your circumstances. This process will also save you money and time, and will mean you're not wasting energy on inappropriate things.

Those who merely wish to have a better understanding of how to use a PC for basic operations, the European Computer Driving Licence is the best program for you. The "ECDL" will educate you on the way to use basic features of 'Microsoft Windows', - the actual operating system for nearly all PC's. It also covers getting on the net, so that you can utilise email to receive & send correspondence, & browse the world wide web. This training course also introduces you to word-processing, databases & spreadsheets.

If you want to boost your skill set for work-related purposes, you might choose to take on some more formal training. A wide understanding of 'Microsoft Office' is most likely the skill set most people require at this point. The key qualifications are the Microsoft 'Office Specialist' (MOS) or the Microsoft 'Certified Application Specialist' ('MCAS'.) 'MOS' has been in use for several years and features 'Office' 2003 and XP, which continues to be well utilised in business. 'MCAS' emphasises 'Office' 2007 and 'Vista', so no doubt offers greater life expectancy. Each Ms 'Office' application is reviewed seperately with each of the accreditations, that is - "Excel" for 'spreadsheets', "Access" for 'databases', PowerPoint for presentations and 'Word' for word-processing. These certifications will indicate to an employer how you're appropriately skilled to implement these packages to their fullest level.

If you're taking a look at a career move in to I.T., it's very likely that you will need to start off someplace around these courses, depending on your current degree of IT literacy. For much more senior packages it's a good idea to talk your intentions through with a specialist advisor who has IT experience. However any kind of complete job change ideas really should be talked through ahead of getting started - it is a practical approach to confirm the training you decide on is right for the job. Half an hour of your time spent planning & evaluating the best way forward will pay dividends a year or so down the line.

Jobs in I.T. are often divided into a few main categories: Programming (which includes Software Development), Networking (including Support and Security), Web Design (including creative and technical) & Databases (including Administration and Development). Every I.T. category has its own set of proficiency specifications, with corresponding certifications at a number of different proficiency levels. Software Development satisfies a different type of individual to web design, which suits yet another kind of person to networking. As soon as you've had a chance to obtain guidance on all the I.T. career options, you'll be a lot more confident that you have chosen the best career route for you.

If Professional IT employment is your end ambition, then you might start with instruction in IT Support work. To support workers who use computers in the office, you will have to have a technical certification such as the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. A program of this level typically requires around one hundred hours of learning time.

We move onto full I.T. career training programs at the next level. A common starting point for hardware support, networking and security jobs are the 'CompTIA' A+ & 'Network+' accreditations. In addition to covering the fundamentals of hard-ware and networks, you'll learn about administration, support, troubleshooting and security. Many combined 'A+' and 'N+' training programmes will take the person with average skills something like 200-250 hrs to finish, so can quite feasibly be studied around regular job.

If you browse around the pages on this site you'll find specific web-pages covering each of these sectors - plus the certification tracks that are required - so you can check things out a bit more. Should you prefer, we'll send you our detailed Lollypedia e-book at no cost to you, which offers you the opportunity to contact our specialist advisory team.

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